Transport Programme for People with Disabilities
The Transport Programme for People with Disabilities (TPPD) has been in existence since 1991 and has complemented and augmented improvements in accessible transport by developing a range of specialised transport services for disabled persons in conjunction with a number of service operators.
Background
The legislative basis for the Department's support of initiatives towards people with disabilities is Part 5 of the Transport Act (Northern Ireland) 2011. This allows support for transport services to benefit certain sections of the public including older people and/or those who have a disability.
Aims of the Programme
The aims of the Programme are:
- to target social need by improving accessibility of public transport to people with disabilities who cannot avail of existing conventional services in Northern Ireland
- to complement the work of existing service providers involved in programmes designed to promote social inclusion for people with reduced mobility.
To achieve this, the Programme supports a number of services, in areas that contain a disproportionately high number of people who are mobility impaired and who could sustain a sufficient demand to visit key destinations and utilise these services.
Current policy
The Programme currently funds a number of activities listed below:
Disability Action Transport Scheme (DATS)
DATS provides a specialised transport service for people living in towns or cities who find it difficult to use public transport.
Contact Disability Action to find out more about DATS.
Shopmobility
The Programme currently provides financial support for Shopmobility schemes in Ballymena, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Cookstown, Dungannon, Enniskillen, Lisburn, Derry/Londonderry (known as Foyle), Magherafelt, Newry and Omagh. These schemes lend manual and powered wheelchairs and powered scooters to members of the public with limited mobility to shop and use leisure and commercial facilities. Shopmobility schemes can be seen as the final link in the accessible transport chain.
The Department also funds a Shopmobility Northern Ireland network group. The aim of this group (known as Shopmobility NI) is to encourage and support existing and new schemes, through networking, information, training and exchanging news and views. Anyone wishing to have more information on the Shopmobility NI group or Shopmobility in general should contact Shopmobility on 0300 10 20 150.
Shopmobility Northern Ireland
Fermanagh House
Broadmeadow
Enniskillen
BT74 7HR
Advice and support
The Programme funds the work of the Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee (Imtac). Imtac advises Government on issues relating to disabled and older people and the transport system. For further information on Imtac, contact Michael Lorimer at:
Imtac
Enterprise House
55-59 Adelaide Street
Belfast
BT2 8FE
Telephone: 028 9072 6020
Textphone: 028 9072 6016
Email: info@imtac.org.uk
Further information
You can get further information about transport for people with disabilities on the Motoring and Transport section of the NI Direct website.